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Calgary courthouse construction begins
Completion by 2007
By Jennifer Peterson
Calgarians and residents of southern Alberta will soon have a new, state-of-the-art courthouse in downtown Calgary that will end overcrowding and eliminate the confusion of navigating five separate and aging court facilities.
Construction of the $300-million Calgary Courts Centre will consolidate the Provincial Court and the Court of Queen’s Bench in a one million square foot facility between 6th and 7th Avenue and 5th and 6th Street S.W. The Government of Alberta will fund the project while the private sector will design, build and operate it as a public-private partnership.
After a thorough selection process, which began in April 2002, an agreement was reached with a private group of companies including GWL Realty Advisors Inc. (development manager), CANA Management Ltd. (builder), Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning (architect) and SNC-Lavalin ProFac Inc. (building operator) to design, build and operate the courts facility. Completion of the consolidated courthouse is expected by summer 2007.
The need for a new courthouse in Calgary has been critical for more than 20 years. Calgary’s Court of Queen’s Bench and the Provincial Court are near or over capacity and there is continued pressure to expand due to population and business growth. The consolidation of these two levels of court into one location along with other court services and programs will make it easier for Calgarians and the people of southern Alberta to access the courts and will improve the overall efficiency of the justice system.
The project features two atrium linked towers, with a 24-floor north tower and a 20-floor south tower, encompassing 73 courtrooms, as well as an underground parkade for 220 vehicles. Approximately 500 people will be moving into the new courthouse, including 75 justices and judges, over 100 security personnel, and about 360 court, library and external agencies’ staff people. For more information on the Calgary Courts Centre project, please visit www.infras.gov.ab.ca.
Background
- Construction on this project will see close to 1,000 people employed on the site for the next three years.
- Of the 73 courtrooms, the Court of Queen’s Bench will have 28 designated courtrooms and the Provincial Court will have 44. One large courtroom will be for use by either court.
- Future site development (east block) includes the demolition of the Court of Queen’s Bench facility, a 450-stall underground parkade and an urban park.
Partners
Government of Alberta, SNC-Lavalin Profac Inc., GWL Realty Advisors Inc., RGO Office Furnishings, CANA Management Ltd., Stantec Consulting, Kasian Architecture Interior Design and Planning, Hemisphere Engineering, Spillis Candela – DMJM, Stebnicki Robertson and Associates, NORR Limited and AMEC.
